Ultrabroadband (>2500cm−1) multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectroscopy using a supercontinuum generated from a photonic crystal fiber

Abstract

We have developed ultrabroadband multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy using a coherent supercontinuum in the near-infrared region generated from a photonic crystal fiber. Owing to the ultrabroadband Stokes radiation obtained from the supercontinuum, multiple vibrational modes can be excited simultaneously in the wave-number range of more than 2500cm−1. A CARS imaging of a lipid vesicle is demonstrated with a high vibrational contrast.

Multimodal Imaging of Living Cells with Multiplex Coherent Anti-stokes Raman Scattering (CARS), Third-order Sum Frequency Generation (TSFG) and Two-photon Excitation Fluorescence (TPEF) Using a Nanosecond White-light Laser Source

“…A similar strategy has been employed in multiplex CARS microspectroscopy for fulfilling vibrational resonance conditions. 25,26 In the present study, we performed tri-modal (CARS, TSFG, and TPEF) multiplex spectroscopic imaging. First, we show the proof-of-principle experiment using polystyrene beads.…”

Optical solitons from a photonic crystal fiber and their applications

“…To generate a broadband optical pulse, a PCF can be used and only a single laser oscillator is required to observe a broadband CARS signal by the use of a PCF. The use of a PCF to generate broadband Stokes pulses was reported in 2003 (Paulsen et al, 2003) and since then, the extent of vibration frequencies has been extended (Kano & Hamaguchi, 2005;Kee & Cicerone, 2004). However, it is difficult to generate broadband pulses with uniform spectral intensities.…”

Molecular Spectroscopic Imaging Using a White-Light Laser Source

“…Application of white-light laser sources to microscopes has been reported since around 2003, and various types of unique microscopes have been developed so far such as confocal fluorescence microscopes, 5962 two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopes, 63,64 fluorescence lifetime microscopes, 65,66 CARS microscopes 28,6771 and a STED (stimulated emission depletion) microscope. 72 There is also a report on optical tweezers using a white-light laser source.…”

“…1922 Since several review articles on CARS microscopy have been published, 2327 we will briefly describe CARS microscopy, and focus on CARS microspectroscopy. 28 Figure 1a shows a schematic of the CARS process. In the CARS process, two laser pulses with different angular frequency are used to generate a vibrational coherence.…”